Balance Wheel Necessity for Dualsport

[TwoSmokeDS]

Is it necessary to balance the wheel for DS action?

I checked for balance on my back wheel using the jack stand method. And I found it's off by about 5 ounces. I put that much sticky-taped lead weights on the rim. But it looks wierd with all that lead. It'll probably get knocked off on the trail.

[Desert Skies]

If you are going to hit much asphalt at speeds on you rides, smooth rolling wheels are nice.

I mean, this is Texas and short DS riding is connected by long stretches of highway.

As long as you cleaned the rims good before putting on stickies, you should be fine.

[jqueen]

I didn't have a problem with the stick-ons coming off (I did put them on the hub-side surface of the wheel, instead of on the side - not on the hub, just as close to the spoke nipple on the rim as you can get it to reliably stick).

You don't really notice out of balance until you go up over 40 or so, but when/if you do get up around 60+, it doesn't take long to be either annoying or dangerous, depending on how out of balance it is.

[focus frenzy]

5 ounces!!

what tire is it?

is the bead seated fully and evenly?

is the wheel in true?

[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by focus frenzy

5 ounces!!

what tire is it?

is the bead seated fully and evenly?

is the wheel in true?

Easy tiger.. it's probably on his XR200 even though KI is great about not telling all the information needed to help him out, despite asking questions every third day. So on the XR200, there is probably a rim lock to deal with which explains the weight needed. Also because it's on an XR200 with a blazing fast top speed of 45'ish, I'd say skip the balancing or if you really want to, get the crimp on lead weights that go onto the spokes.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Haha. It was actually for my KDX 220 2001. Enough info for ya'? I was getting horrible up-and-down shaking from the front of the bike. So I decided to check the balance, starting from the back, since it is already off the bike. The rim is not perfect. THere's a slight bend, but I don't think it's bad enough. I expect this KDX can do 75 MPH top speed. So I got it plated. So I expect to cruise at 60 MPH for many miles at a time.

Interestingly enough, my XR200R 2002 doesn't shake or bounce even at high speed. took the little XR up to 60 GPS-MPH and there's hardly any shaking or bouncing. There's still some power left at 60, and I was sitting straight up. I think this XR can do 70 MPH if I tuck. It's all stock. Even has the restrictive intake snorkel. Maybe there was tail wind. I dunno.

P.s. I did replace the rim lock with a cheap one from Rocky Mountain. It did feel quite heavy. The old rim lock got destroyed because I did not tighten it enough after replacing tire. Maybe I can add a second rim lock on the opposite side to balance things out.

[TLRam1]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

KI is great about not telling all the information needed to help him out, despite asking questions every third day.

You hit that nail on the head Bill, approach with caution.

[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

Haha. It was actually for my KDX 220 2001. Enough info for ya'? I was getting horrible up-and-down shaking from the front of the bike. So I decided to check the balance, starting from the back, since it is already off the bike. The rim is not perfect. THere's a slight bend, but I don't think it's bad enough. I expect this KDX can do 75 MPH top speed. So I got it plated. So I expect to cruise at 60 MPH for many miles at a time.

Interestingly enough, my XR200R 2002 doesn't shake or bounce even at high speed. took the little XR up to 60 GPS-MPH and there's hardly any shaking or bouncing. There's still some power left at 60, and I was sitting straight up. I think this XR can do 70 MPH if I tuck. It's all stock. Even has the restrictive intake snorkel. Maybe there was tail wind. I dunno.

P.s. I did replace the rim lock with a cheap one from Rocky Mountain. It did feel quite heavy. The old rim lock got destroyed because I did not tighten it enough after replacing tire. Maybe I can add a second rim lock on the opposite side to balance things out.

LOL... Yes, much better. For the KDX, if you are going to be at 60'ish mph for extended periods of time then it might be a good idea to balance the rim with the rimlock installed. That will get you close to balance with any tire you put on it, which on a dual sport is the best that any of us can hope for. For that much weight I would recommend getting some of the crimp on lead for the spokes. If it is good enough for the factories to use on spoked bikes then it should be good enough for us common folks.

[SilverBullet]

If you plan on keeping your bike for awhile here is what I would do. I have never balanced a dual sport wheel. Current bike has been a couple ticks away from triple digit speed and thousands of 70-75mph freeway cruising without any shake or wobble whatsoever.

Trash your cheap and heavy rimlock and buy one of these.
Motion Pro Lite Loc

That rim lock weighs just slightly over 2 ounces. Place equal amount of weight directly opposite the rim lock. I use these weights, one package should be a lifetime supply. I use Loc-tite on the set screws and haven't had one loosen in 12,000 miles.
Reusable spoke weights

Above spoke weights are only my ballpark balance. Continuous fine tune balancing is done with Ride-On, approx one bottle per tire. This is an excellent product that not only balances but is also a sealant for very small stuff. i.e. thorns, cacti, tacks, etc. A little pricey but you only use it once per life of tube. How much is it worth to you not to do a tube repair/replacement out on the road?
Ride-On Tire Balancer/Sealant

_

[AustinJake]

I balance the front wheel only, I have never felt anything from the rear in 9000 miles and 9 different tires. Cycle Gear gave me some non-used spoke weights one day when I was there and they have been on the front wheel for the 9000 miles, I didn't crimp them, I slit some small vacuum tube and put that on the spoke and put the weight over the vacuum tube.

[John Dirt]

I installed dyna beads in my tubes and removed all weights, smooth as glass. I don't understand why people seem to be afraid to use the laws of physics and cheap little ceramic beads to solve tire vibration on a DS bike. I guess it is hard to teach and old dog new tricks.

[AustinJake]

Originally Posted by John Dirt

I installed dyna beads in my tubes and removed all weights, smooth as glass. I don't understand why people seem to be afraid to use the laws of physics and cheap little ceramic beads to solve tire vibration on a DS bike. I guess it is hard to teach and old dog new tricks.

I run slime in my tubes, cant run beads.

[TwoSmokeDS]

If you try to let air out of the tire, would the Beads cog up the stem?

Also, I'm thinking all those ceramic balls rolling inside the tube is going to wear out the tube from the inside.

Can you reuse the Beads on a new tube? The Beads are kind'a expensive.

[BeemerlessBob]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

If you try to let air out of the tire, would the Beads cog up the stem?

Also, I'm thinking all those ceramic balls rolling inside the tube is going to wear out the tube from the inside.

Can you reuse the Beads on a new tube? The Beads are kind'a expensive.

Yes, I doubt it and Yes

[webnel]

Running with Amerseal or slime does it well and seals up small punctures too. What could be better than that..........

[John Dirt]

Slime is evil lol, unless it saves my butt.

The creamic beads will ignite once you hit 69mph.

You can transfer them and they don't ruin your tube anymore than drinking water eventually ruins your throat.

Someone must have started a smear campaign against dyna beads.

I will say this, if I have a flat I am not going to try to transfer my beads on the trail. Guess I better fill my spare tubes as well.

[jqueen]

I've used the beads, but they were already in the tube/tire when I got the bike, so no idea if they worked or not.

I don't think I'll run slime unless I'm actually trying to slow or stop an existing leak - I've had issues recently with slime getting in the valve stem, and causing flats for me when I check the air pressure(stem won't seal back up because a little lump of partially hardened slime got in there!).

I've heard of the Ride-On, but haven't heard many actual reports yet..

[BeemerlessBob]

Originally Posted by webnel

Running with Amerseal or slime does it well and seals up small punctures too. What could be better than that..........

Slime will balance the tire? Thought that stuff would harden after a while.

[John Dirt]

Jqueen, i had the slime blocking a valve stem when I purchased my spare wheels, I even posted up here to get help on figuring out why it wouldn't accept air, anyway, I am not a fan of slime.

Back on topic, KI, balance your DS wheels unless you go really slow on the pavement. Spoke weights or stick ons, but do it.

[tx246]

Did you say your rim was tweaked? Does not take much bend in a rim to make a paint shaker on pavement. You dont notice it on softer surfaces as the knobs/tread absorb some of the movement. Stick a screwdriver against the front fork and put the blade right up to the rim aka brakes on a bicycle. Spin the tire slowly while watching the small gap between the rim and the blade. You will see any problem with your rim. You will probably find a part of the rim that jumps up. You cant balance that out.